Composition Project

WASO’s Composition Project offers young and emerging Western Australian composers the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional environment. Through a series of individual lessons, workshops and rehearsals, participants will compose a new work for a 14-piece chamber ensemble, performed by WASO musicians in front of a live audience. Participants are mentored both by James Ledger (Artistic Director), Olivia Davies (WASO Composer-in-Residence) and WASO musicians.

Throughout the project composers will develop their work in close collaboration with WASO musicians, building knowledge of the professional commissioning process of working with a chamber ensemble and building skills in the live compositional workshop process. This project has helped previous participants successfully gain placement in national and international composition programs, post-graduate studies and secure professional commissions and residencies.

Applications for Composition Project 2025 (14-piece chamber ensemble) are now open and emerging composers currently studying at a tertiary institution or recently graduated (2023/2024) are encouraged to apply. A panel will select a  recipient for the Most Outstanding Composition award and they will receive the opportunity to compose a new 3-minute piece of orchestral music for a WASO mainstage family concert in 2026.

Please take note of the key fixed project dates that all participants will be required to attend

• Tuesday 25 February 2025 – Workshop 1, 10am-4pm
• Thursday 17 April 2025 – Workshop 2, 10am-4pm
• Friday 6 June 2025 – Workshop 3, 10am- 4pm
• Tuesday 24 June 2025 – Final Workshop, 2-4.30pm and Public Performance, 6-7pm

Applications close at 6PM – Sunday 1 December 2024.
Application outcomes will be communicated on Monday 9 December 2024.

To apply click here.

WASO encourages people living with disabilities, First Nations peoples and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.